Workout & Gym · The rankings
Best ear-hook earbuds for the gym: ten hooks, open and sealed, ranked
The hook is the most forgiving retention system there is: it holds when the tip lets go, and on open-ear designs it's the only thing needed. Here are the ten we'd hand to a gym regular, and how the hooks themselves differ.
By Mike M.Updated Spec-checked, not worn by us
#adReader-supported: we may earn a commission if you buy through our links, at no extra cost to you. It never decides a ranking. How we rank · Disclosure
Quick picks
The rankings at a glance
| # | Product | Best for | Score | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Shokz OpenFit 2 The open-ear pick for most people: 11 hours per charge, IP55 buds, a physical button plus touch, and Shokz's DualBoost dual-driver sound. The hook fit is the reference the others get compared to. | Best open hookOpen-ear hook | 8.3 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 2 |  Soundcore Sport X20 Hooks that rotate 30 degrees and extend 4 mm, ANC, 12 hours per charge (48 with the case) and a submersion rating for under $100. The sweatproof sealed bud that actually fits different ears. | Best adjustable sealed hookIn-ear + ear hook | 8.9 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 3 | Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 Nickel-titanium hooks, ANC, heart-rate sensors and 10 hours per charge (45 with the case) on Apple's H2 chip. IPX4, so it's a fit-and-features pick, not a sweat-rating pick. | Best reinforced hookIn-ear + ear hook | 8.1 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 4 | Soundcore AeroFit 2 A four-position adjustable hook, IP55, 10 hours per charge and LDAC, for less than the Shokz OpenFit 2. The adjustable hinge is why it fits more ears than a fixed hook. | Best adjustable open hookOpen-ear hook | 8.4 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 5 | JLab Epic Sport ANC 3 IP66, hybrid ANC, dual drivers with LDAC, and JLab's claim of 56-plus hours total with wireless charging. A sealed hook with a powerful-jet sweat rating at a mid price. | Best IP66 sealed hookIn-ear + ear hook | 8.5 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 6 | Shokz OpenFit Air 2 7.2 g per side, IP55 buds with an IP54 case, 8 hours and a 10-minute charge worth 3 hours. The lightest Shokz hook and the one to start with if the OpenFit 2 feels bulky. | Lightest hookOpen-ear hook | 8.4 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 7 | Shokz OpenFit Pro Shokz's flagship hook: triple wind-resistant mics, an open-ear noise-reduction mode, 12 hours with it off, and titanium hooks. The heaviest OpenFit at 12.3 g, and the most expensive. | Best premium open hookOpen-ear hook | 8.6 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 8 | JLab Epic Open Sport 14 mm drivers, LDAC, IP55, multipoint and a wireless-charging case for about half the price of a Shokz OpenFit 2. Battery is 7 hours, the compromise you're paying less for. | Best value open hookOpen-ear hook | 7.9 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 9 | Nothing Ear (open) 8.1 g per side with pinch controls that ignore sweat, IP54 on buds and case, 8 hours per charge. SoundGuys had no issues with them staying in place at the gym or on a bike. | Slim stem, pinch controlsOpen-ear hook | 7.7 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
| 10 | JLab GO Sport+ IP55, 9 hours per bud and 35 total, a Be Aware mode and a small ear hook, for less than a pair of gym socks. The cheapest hooked earbud we'd hand to anyone. | Cheapest hookIn-ear + ear hook | 7.4 /10 | Check price · Amazon |
#ad · Prices are set by Amazon and change often, so we don't print them. Scores are ours, built from published specs and cited independent reviews, not our own wear tests. Photos are illustrative stock. Tap a row for the full write-up.
Not all hooks are the same
Every hook wraps over the top of the ear. Beyond that they differ in three ways that decide whether one fits you. Material: soft silicone (Shokz OpenFit, JLab), silicone over a titanium wire (Shokz OpenFit Pro, Suunto), or a nickel-titanium alloy core (Powerbeats Pro 2). Soft flexes to your ear; stiff holds its shape and yours. Adjustability: most are fixed; the Sport X20's rotate 30 degrees and extend 4 mm, the AeroFit 2's have four positions. Weight at the pod: 7.2 g (OpenFit Air 2) to 12.3 g (OpenFit Pro) for open designs; the sealed ones add a tip in the canal that shares the load.
If you've returned a hook before, it was almost certainly a fixed one that sat wrong. Start with an adjustable hook this time.
The hook table
| Evidence | Shokz OpenFit Air 2 | Shokz OpenFit Pro | JLab Epic Open Sport | Nothing Ear (open) | JLab GO Sport+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fit system | Open-ear hook | Open-ear hook | Open-ear hook | Open-ear hook | In-ear + ear hook |
| Water & sweat rating | Earbuds IP55; charging case IP54 | Earbuds IP55; charging case not waterproof | IP55 | IP54 | IP55 |
| Weight | 7.2 g per earbud; case 46.4 g | 12.3 g per earbud; case 99.3 g | 16.8 g for the pair (about 8.4 g per earbud); case 49.6 g | 8.1 g per earbud | 13.1 g for the pair (about 6.5 g per earbud); case 45.8 g |
| Battery | 8 hours; 36 hours with case | Noise reduction off: 12 h / 50 h with case; on: 6 h / 24 h | 7 hours; 30 hours total; 5 hours talk | 8 hours; 30 hours with case (Nothing's claim) | 9 hours per earbud; 35 hours total |
| Controls | Pressure-sensitive buttons | Physical buttons | Touch | Pinch controls on the stem | Touch |
| Score | 8.4/10 | 8.6/10 | 7.9/10 | 7.7/10 | 7.4/10 |
Open hook or sealed hook
An open hook (OpenFit, AeroFit, JLab Epic Open Sport, Nothing) hangs the speaker outside the canal: you hear the gym, nothing sits in a sweaty canal, and bass is limited. A sealed hook (Sport X20, Powerbeats, Epic Sport ANC 3, Go Sport+) adds a tip: isolation, ANC on most, full bass, and the tip is the part that can irritate a wet canal over an hour. The sealed hook is the safer retention system by a hair (two systems instead of one); the open hook is the more comfortable one over a long session. Both are on this list because the hook is the point. The design decision is in open-ear vs in-ear.
In detail
The picks, in full
Rank 1
Stock photoBest open hook
Shokz OpenFit 2
The open-ear pick for most people: 11 hours per charge, IP55 buds, a physical button plus touch, and Shokz's DualBoost dual-driver sound. The hook fit is the reference the others get compared to.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | Open-ear hook. Ear canal stays open: you hear the room and traffic. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | Earbuds IP55; charging case not waterproof |
| Weight | 9.4 g per earbud; case 53 g |
| Battery | 11 hours; 48 hours with case |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 2 hours |
| Charging | USB-C case; earbuds 1 hour, case 100 min |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Microphones | Dual AI noise-canceling |
| Controls | Physical buttons and touch controls |
| Driver / tech | DualBoost dual drivers + DirectPitch |
| Launched | January 2025 |
How the 8.3 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 9
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 8
- Awareness (open canal) (15%)
- 9
- Sound & leakage (15%)
- 8
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 7
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 9
- Value (5%)
- 6
What the spec sheet supports
- 11 hours per charge is the longest of the mainstream ear-hooks
- A real button, so a sweaty finger doesn't misfire a touch control
- Dual drivers give it more low end than single-driver open-ears
- IP55 earbuds handle sweat and rain
Where it falls short
- The case is not water resistant at all; don't drop it in a wet gym bag
- 9.4 g per side is heavier than the OpenFit Air 2 (7.2 g) or Shokz's clip-ons
- Open-ear leakage: people next to you on a quiet bus will hear it
Skip this if…
…you have small ears or glasses that fight a thick hook; the 7.2 g OpenFit Air 2 or a clip-on sits lighter.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Shokz OpenFit 2
Rank 2
Stock photoBest adjustable sealed hook
Soundcore Sport X20
Hooks that rotate 30 degrees and extend 4 mm, ANC, 12 hours per charge (48 with the case) and a submersion rating for under $100. The sweatproof sealed bud that actually fits different ears.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | In-ear + ear hook. Sealed ear canal: isolation, no awareness. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | Soundcore lists IP68 in its product imagery and IPX7 in its product description; both are immersion ratings |
| Battery | 12 hours per charge / 48 with case (normal); 7 / 28 with ANC |
| Charging | About 40 minutes to full for the earbuds |
| Multipoint | Dual connections |
| Controls | Physical buttons, customizable in the app |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Driver / tech | 11 mm dynamic drivers with BassUp |
| Noise control | Active noise canceling |
| Extras | Ear hooks rotate plus or minus 30 degrees and extend 4 mm in four steps; SweatGuard sealed cavity |
How the 8.9 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 10
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 10
- Noise control & transparency (15%)
- 8
- Sound quality (15%)
- 7
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 7
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 9
- Value (5%)
- 10
What the spec sheet supports
- Adjustable hooks: rotation and extension are the difference between a bud that stays and one that doesn't
- Immersion-rated where Beats is IPX4
- 12 hours per charge with ANC off
- Buttons, not touch
Where it falls short
- Soundcore's own page disagrees with itself on IP68 vs IPX7
- SBC/AAC only
- Soundcore doesn't publish per-earbud weight on the product page
Skip this if…
…you want heart-rate data or Apple integration; the Powerbeats Pro 2 has both.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Soundcore Sport X20
Rank 3
Stock photoBest reinforced hook
Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
Nickel-titanium hooks, ANC, heart-rate sensors and 10 hours per charge (45 with the case) on Apple's H2 chip. IPX4, so it's a fit-and-features pick, not a sweat-rating pick.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | In-ear + ear hook. Sealed ear canal: isolation, no awareness. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | IPX4 |
| Weight | 8.7 g per earbud; case 69 g |
| Battery | Up to 10 hours per bud; up to 45 hours with case |
| Quick charge | Fast Fuel: 5 min = up to 1.5 hours |
| Charging | USB-C; Qi wireless charging |
| Bluetooth | Class 1 Bluetooth |
| Controls | Multi-function button and volume rocker on each side |
| Noise control | Active Noise Canceling and Transparency mode |
| Extras | Heart-rate monitoring sensors; nickel-titanium alloy earhooks; Apple H2 chip; Voice Isolation for calls |
How the 8.1 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 10
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 5
- Noise control & transparency (15%)
- 9
- Sound quality (15%)
- 9
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 8
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 9
- Value (5%)
- 4
What the spec sheet supports
- Reinforced hooks plus a sealed tip: the most locked-in fit on this site
- Physical buttons and a volume rocker on each bud
- Heart-rate data to fitness apps without a chest strap
- 10 hours per bud, 45 with the case
Where it falls short
- IPX4 is a rain-and-light-sweat rating; heavy sweaters have soaked IPX4 buds
- Sealed ear: you won't hear the car behind you
- Priced at the top of the workout category
Skip this if…
…you sweat through everything; an IP67 or IP68 sealed bud like the Soundcore Sport X20 is rated for it and this isn't.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Beats Powerbeats Pro 2
Rank 4
Stock photoBest adjustable open hook
Soundcore AeroFit 2
A four-position adjustable hook, IP55, 10 hours per charge and LDAC, for less than the Shokz OpenFit 2. The adjustable hinge is why it fits more ears than a fixed hook.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | Open-ear hook. Ear canal stays open: you hear the room and traffic. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | IP55 |
| Weight | 10 g per earbud |
| Battery | 10 hours; 42 hours with case |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 4 hours |
| Charging | USB-C; case supports wireless charging |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Microphones | 4 mics with AI noise reduction |
| Controls | Touch control |
| Codecs | LDAC Hi-Res (Android only) |
| Driver / tech | 20 x 11.5 mm drivers |
| Extras | Four-level adjustable ear hook |
How the 8.4 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 9
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 8
- Awareness (open canal) (15%)
- 9
- Sound & leakage (15%)
- 8
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 7
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 9
- Value (5%)
- 8
What the spec sheet supports
- Four hook positions: the fix for ears a fixed hook never quite fits
- 10 hours and a 10-minute charge worth 4 hours
- LDAC and large drivers for open-ear sound with some bass
- Wireless-charging case
Where it falls short
- 10 g per side; heavier than the Shokz OpenFit Air 2
- Touch controls, not buttons
- IP55 earbuds; Soundcore doesn't rate the case
Skip this if…
…you want a button you can hit mid-set; the Shokz OpenFit 2's physical button is more reliable when wet.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Soundcore AeroFit 2
Rank 5
Stock photoBest IP66 sealed hook
JLab Epic Sport ANC 3
IP66, hybrid ANC, dual drivers with LDAC, and JLab's claim of 56-plus hours total with wireless charging. A sealed hook with a powerful-jet sweat rating at a mid price.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | In-ear + ear hook. Sealed ear canal: isolation, no awareness. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | IP66 |
| Weight | 16.8 g for the pair (about 8.4 g per earbud); case 60.6 g |
| Battery | 56+ hours total (JLab's headline); page also states over 68 hours |
| Charging | Wireless charging plus integrated USB-C cable |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | Two devices |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Driver / tech | 10 mm dynamic + Knowles balanced armature |
| Noise control | Hybrid ANC with three noise-control modes |
| Extras | Built-in interval timer; Lab Spatial Audio |
How the 8.5 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 9
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 9
- Noise control & transparency (15%)
- 8
- Sound quality (15%)
- 8
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 7
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 9
- Value (5%)
- 8
What the spec sheet supports
- IP66 sits above every Beats and just under the Sport X20
- Dual drivers with LDAC
- Wireless charging and an integrated cable
Where it falls short
- JLab's page gives two different total-battery numbers
- No per-earbud playtime published
- Heavier than the Powerbeats Fit
Skip this if…
…you need an immersion rating; IP66 is powerful jets, not a dunk. The Sport X20 goes further.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to JLab Epic Sport ANC 3
Rank 6
Stock photoLightest hook
Shokz OpenFit Air 2
7.2 g per side, IP55 buds with an IP54 case, 8 hours and a 10-minute charge worth 3 hours. The lightest Shokz hook and the one to start with if the OpenFit 2 feels bulky.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | Open-ear hook. Ear canal stays open: you hear the room and traffic. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | Earbuds IP55; charging case IP54 |
| Weight | 7.2 g per earbud; case 46.4 g |
| Battery | 8 hours; 36 hours with case |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 3 hours |
| Charging | USB-C; earbuds 60 min, case 100 min |
| Bluetooth | 6.1 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Microphones | Dual AI noise-canceling |
| Controls | Pressure-sensitive buttons |
| Driver / tech | Bassphere + OpenBass 2.0 + DirectPitch |
| Launched | August 2026 |
How the 8.4 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 9
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 9
- Awareness (open canal) (15%)
- 9
- Sound & leakage (15%)
- 7
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 7
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 8
- Value (5%)
- 8
What the spec sheet supports
- Lightest Shokz ear-hook at 7.2 g
- The only OpenFit whose case carries a rating (IP54)
- Pressure buttons, not touch, so sweat doesn't trigger them
Where it falls short
- 8 hours versus 11 on the OpenFit 2
- Single-driver sound with less bass than DualBoost
Skip this if…
…battery is your bottleneck; the OpenFit 2 lasts three hours longer per charge.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Shokz OpenFit Air 2
Rank 7
Stock photoBest premium open hook
Shokz OpenFit Pro
Shokz's flagship hook: triple wind-resistant mics, an open-ear noise-reduction mode, 12 hours with it off, and titanium hooks. The heaviest OpenFit at 12.3 g, and the most expensive.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | Open-ear hook. Ear canal stays open: you hear the room and traffic. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | Earbuds IP55; charging case not waterproof |
| Weight | 12.3 g per earbud; case 99.3 g |
| Battery | Noise reduction off: 12 h / 50 h with case; on: 6 h / 24 h |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 4 hours |
| Charging | Case: wireless and USB-C; earbuds 70 min |
| Bluetooth | 6.1 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Microphones | Triple AI noise-canceling, wind-resistant to 25 km/h |
| Controls | Physical buttons |
| Driver / tech | SuperBoost + open-ear noise reduction + Dolby Atmos optimization |
| Noise control | Open-ear noise reduction mode (halves battery when on) |
| Launched | January 2026 |
How the 8.6 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 9
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 8
- Awareness (open canal) (15%)
- 9
- Sound & leakage (15%)
- 9
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 9
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 9
- Value (5%)
- 4
What the spec sheet supports
- Three wind-resistant mics, the best call spec of any ear-hook here
- Noise-reduction mode for the treadmill row without sealing the ear
- 12 hours with reduction off and a 10-minute charge worth 4 hours
Where it falls short
- 12.3 g per side; you feel the hook more than on the Air 2
- Noise reduction halves the battery to 6 hours
- The priciest open-ear on this site
Skip this if…
…your gym is quiet and your calls are rare; the OpenFit 2 delivers the same fit and IP55 for a lot less.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Shokz OpenFit Pro
Rank 8
Stock photoBest value open hook
JLab Epic Open Sport
14 mm drivers, LDAC, IP55, multipoint and a wireless-charging case for about half the price of a Shokz OpenFit 2. Battery is 7 hours, the compromise you're paying less for.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | Open-ear hook. Ear canal stays open: you hear the room and traffic. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | IP55 |
| Weight | 16.8 g for the pair (about 8.4 g per earbud); case 49.6 g |
| Battery | 7 hours; 30 hours total; 5 hours talk |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 1 hour |
| Charging | USB-C; wireless charging case |
| Bluetooth | 5.4 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Microphones | 2-mic ENC |
| Controls | Touch |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC, LDAC |
| Driver / tech | 14 mm dynamic driver, 20 Hz to 40 kHz |
How the 7.9 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 8
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 8
- Awareness (open canal) (15%)
- 9
- Sound & leakage (15%)
- 8
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 6
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 7
- Value (5%)
- 9
What the spec sheet supports
- LDAC and 14 mm drivers at a mid-range price
- IP55 and multipoint
- Wireless-charging case, which Shokz reserves for the OpenFit 2+
Where it falls short
- 7 hours per charge
- A 10-minute charge only buys an hour
- Touch controls
Skip this if…
…you need 10-plus hours per charge; the Soundcore AeroFit 2 and Shokz OpenFit 2 both do it.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to JLab Epic Open Sport
Rank 9
Stock photoSlim stem, pinch controls
Nothing Ear (open)
8.1 g per side with pinch controls that ignore sweat, IP54 on buds and case, 8 hours per charge. SoundGuys had no issues with them staying in place at the gym or on a bike.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | Open-ear hook. Ear canal stays open: you hear the room and traffic. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | IP54 |
| Weight | 8.1 g per earbud |
| Battery | 8 hours; 30 hours with case (Nothing's claim) |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | Yes |
| Microphones | Two per earbud |
| Controls | Pinch controls on the stem |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Extras | Nothing's own page lists a 30-hour battery; specs above are from the SoundGuys review because the product page is script-rendered |
How the 7.7 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 9
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 6
- Awareness (open canal) (15%)
- 9
- Sound & leakage (15%)
- 7
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 7
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 8
- Value (5%)
- 7
What the spec sheet supports
- Pinch controls work with wet fingers where touch panels fail
- 8.1 g and an ergonomic hook that SoundGuys found stable through gym and cycling sessions
- Multipoint on Bluetooth 5.3
Where it falls short
- IP54: splash-rated, the lowest sweat rating in this group
- SBC and AAC only
- SoundGuys noted the buds rattle in the case when it's in a pocket
Skip this if…
…you sweat through IP54 gear; the Shokz OpenFit 2 and Soundcore AeroFit 2 are IP55 for similar money.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to Nothing Ear (open)
Rank 10
Stock photoCheapest hook
JLab GO Sport+
IP55, 9 hours per bud and 35 total, a Be Aware mode and a small ear hook, for less than a pair of gym socks. The cheapest hooked earbud we'd hand to anyone.
Spec sheetSpec-checked · not worn by us
| Fit system | In-ear + ear hook. Sealed ear canal: isolation, no awareness. |
|---|---|
| Water & sweat rating | IP55 |
| Weight | 13.1 g for the pair (about 6.5 g per earbud); case 45.8 g |
| Battery | 9 hours per earbud; 35 hours total |
| Quick charge | 10 min = 1 hour |
| Charging | Integrated USB-C cable on the case |
| Bluetooth | 5.3 |
| Multipoint | Dual Connect (either earbud solo) |
| Microphones | 2 MEMS mics with ENC |
| Controls | Touch |
| Codecs | SBC, AAC |
| Driver / tech | 8 mm dynamic driver |
| Noise control | Be Aware transparency mode |
How the 7.4 score breaks down
- Fit security (25%)
- 9
- Sweat & water resistance (20%)
- 8
- Noise control & transparency (15%)
- 6
- Sound quality (15%)
- 5
- Calls & wind (10%)
- 6
- Battery & charging (10%)
- 8
- Value (5%)
- 10
What the spec sheet supports
- IP55 and 9 hours per bud at a throwaway price
- Be Aware mode lets some of the gym in
- Integrated charging cable means nothing to lose
Where it falls short
- 8 mm driver: thin sound
- Touch controls
- No ANC
Skip this if…
…sound quality is on the list at all; the Epic Sport ANC 3 is JLab's real sport bud.
#ad · Price set by Amazon · Disclosure for the link to JLab GO Sport+
Buyer's guide: choosing a hook
Fixed or adjustable
Average ears: fixed is fine and lighter. Ears that have rejected hooks: Sport X20 (sealed) or AeroFit 2 (open).
Soft or stiff
Soft silicone hooks (Shokz OpenFit line) are the comfort default. Stiff reinforced hooks (Powerbeats) hold harder and take longer to forget you're wearing.
Weight at the pod
Under 9 g per side and most people stop noticing. The OpenFit Pro's 12.3 g is the price of its triple mics and noise reduction; the Air 2's 7.2 g is why it's the small-ear pick.
The rating
IP55 minimum for a gym. The Sport X20 (immersion), Epic Sport ANC 3 (IP66) and every Shokz and Soundcore open hook (IP55) clear it. The Powerbeats Pro 2 (IPX4) and Nothing (IP54) are the two to wipe carefully.
How we scored this
Pairs we claim to have worn: none we haven't
Plenty of sites say they ran a hundred miles in every pair on the list. We don't say that, and we say so on every page. What we do instead: classify the retention system (hook, clip, wing, neckband), record the maker's published IP rating, weight, battery, charging, mic and control type from its own product page, cross-reference at least one independent published review where one exists, and score every pick on a public rubric. Every figure links to where it came from.
Scores are editorial judgments from that documented research, not lab results. Commissions never set a score or decide a pick. The rubric and its weights are published.
Corrections & updates
- First edition.
Questions
Frequently asked
Are ear hook earbuds better for the gym?
Which earbuds have the most secure ear hooks?
Do ear hook earbuds hurt?
Keep reading
Related on Openear Club
Receipts
Sources
- Shokz — official product comparison table (checked 2026-09-21)
- Soundcore — Sport X20 product page (checked 2026-09-21)
- Beats — Powerbeats Pro 2 product page, tech specs (checked 2026-09-21)
- Soundcore — AeroFit 2 product page (checked 2026-09-21)
- JLab — Epic Sport ANC 3 product page, tech specs (checked 2026-09-21)
- JLab — Epic Open Sport product page, tech specs (checked 2026-09-21)
- SoundGuys — Nothing Ear (open) review (checked 2026-09-21)
- JLab — GO Sport+ product page, tech specs (checked 2026-09-21)
We haven't worn every pair on this site and we don't pretend to. Specs come from the maker's own product pages (linked on every product), independent findings are attributed to whoever published them, and Amazon prices change often, so we don't print them. Where a figure isn't published, we say so. Read the full method.